Brachial plexus neuropathy syndrome, also termed as brachial plexopathy, is a nerve disorder in the brachial plexus.

2. Brachial plexus neuropathy syndrome, also termed as
brachial plexopathy, is a nerve disorder in the brachial
plexus, a bundle of nerves from the spinal cord that
separates in to individual shoulder and arm nerves. Since
the brachial plexus nerves generally originate from the
spine region, the syndrome is quite often misdiagnosed as
a slipped/compressed disc or cervical spine disorder. Also
being a rare nerve disorder, it is easily confused with
other neck and upper extremity abnormalities. However,
the condition is mainly characterized by acute onset of
severe pain in the shoulder or arm, followed by regional
muscle weakness. It is commonly seen in people of young
age groups, affecting males and females evenly and often
characterized by repeated, bilateral attacks.

3. Though the actual causes are unknown, there are a few probable
factors that may contribute to its occurrence, which are given
below.
 Trauma to the area
 Stretching injuries
 Parasitic infestation
 Congenital abnormalities
 Excessive exposure to toxins and radiations
 Viral infection, especially of the upper respiratory tract
 Bacterial infection like pneumonia, diphtheria, typhoid, etc.
 Certain vaccinations, including influenza, tetanus, diphtheria,
tetanus toxoids, pertussis DPT, smallpox, etc.
 Systemic illness such as polyarteritis
nodosa, lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematosus, temporal
arteritis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, etc.

4. The intensity of shoulder or arm pain
experienced by the patient may vary, and is
initially mistaken for a strain or injury until the
patient starts suffering from muscle weakness.
However, besides nerve pain, there are many
other symptoms, which are as follows:
 Numbness of the shoulder, arm or hand
 Regional muscle weakness
 Intense shoulder pain
 Tingling, burning, or abnormal sensations in the
affected area
 Inability to extend or raise the wrist or hand

5. Since brachial plexus neuropathy is usually
mistaken for some other nerve abnormalities,
several diagnostic tests may have to be conducted
to identify the condition. The doctor will conduct
a neurological exam of the patient in order to
diagnose the complex or intricate nerve fibres in
the affected area. Further, he may perform an
MRI of the area to reveal physical changes in the
nerves, and a nerve conduction test to determine
the nerves that are not conducting signals
properly and where exactly the breakdown in
communication is occurring. Nerve biopsies can
also be conducted to look out for any structural
damage to the nerve.

6. The treatment mainly depends upon its underlying cause. If an injury
is not the cause of the pain, medication, braces or splints, and physical
therapy are the most recommended treatment options. For mild nerve
pain, painkillers like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can be
used. However, to reduce stabbing and intense pain, medications
like phenytoin, carbamazepine, and gabapentin can be given to the
patient. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, are also
effective in providing pain relief. Physical therapy, comprising simple
arm and shoulder exercises, can also help in relieving the nerve pain. In
severe cases, wherein the syndrome is long-lasting and symptoms get
worse, a surgery may be performed to treat the condition.
Though brachial plexus neuropathy is not a life-threatening disorder, if
left untreated, it can develop into long term weakness or paralysis
along with contractures in the shoulder and arm. Hence, regular
neurological exams are strongly recommended to keep track of the
changes in the condition. In case the aforementioned treatment options
do not prove to be helpful and with time the condition worsens, consult
a neurologist to elucidate the case.

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